5 ways to germinate seeds quickly

There are at least 5 ways to germinate seeds quickly. Basically they are used when plants have a long germination period. When choosing this or that method, one should be guided by the peculiarities of the culture.

Germinating flower seeds is much more difficult than growing vegetables. Many of them require preliminary scarification - breaking the hard shell for better swelling and germination.

It is useful to stratify any seeds, that is, to create an imitation of the winter period for them. To do this, they are moistened and kept in the refrigerator at a temperature of + 1–5 degrees for 3–7 days. You can also use a growth stimulant (potassium nitrate or gibberellin solution). But mainly the drugs are used to treat expensive, rare seeds. Now let's move on directly to the methods of germinating seeds.

Sanding

A very easy and cost effective way to germinate large quantities of small seeds. It is suitable for beets, carrots, tomatoes, parsley, flowers ...

You will need the following materials:

• container or plastic box, basin, tray;
• sand (preferably coarse, river);
• burlap or gauze.

It is necessary to pour sand in a layer of 2-3 cm on the bottom of the container and cover it with a layer of burlap. The remaining sand should be mixed with the seeds in a 6: 1 ratio. The sand-seed mass is laid out in 1 cm layers. Each layer is separated by a bag or piece of gauze.

At the end of the installation, moderate watering with warm water is carried out. The container is kept for 10 days at a temperature of +3 degrees, after which it is immediately planted.

It is very convenient to remove seeds in layers. You can roll up the burlap and rinse in water to free the planting material from the sand. But more often it is buried along with the seeds.

It is best to use a spray bottle to moisturize germinating seeds.

Germination in rolls

This method saves a lot of space and virtually eliminates seed rot.

For germination, you will need the following materials:

• roll of toilet paper;
• strips of polyethylene (cut package);
• flour paste (flour diluted with water until sticky);
• brush;
• tweezers;
• plastic containers or cups 12-15 cm high.

First, you need to spread the toilet paper. Further, stepping back 2 cm from the upper edge, put drops of paste along the entire length of the paper with a brush with an interval of 1 cm. Seeds are placed on top of the paste with tweezers. After 10 minutes, when they stick, the paper should be rolled into a loose roll and wrapped in plastic. There can be several such rolls. For germination, they are placed in a container with water poured to a level of 4 cm. Moisture will flow to the seeds through the paper. It remains to place the container in a warm place and change the water approximately every 1-2 days. Cabbage seeds germinate in 2 days, tomatoes and cucumbers - 5–7 days, pepper and eggplant - 13–14 days.

On cotton pads

An even easier way to germinate seeds quickly. It is often used if you need to plant flowers for seedlings at home (asparagus, primrose, and others).

Necessary materials:

• cotton pads;
• saucer;
• package.

Cotton pads are slightly moistened with water, and seeds are placed on top of them. Then the planting material is covered with the same wet discs and, together with the saucer, placed in a bag. Flower seeds are sent for stratification for 1 week in the refrigerator. After this time, they swell - and sowing is immediately carried out. Vegetable crops on cotton pads are germinated warm on a windowsill at 18–20 degrees.

On the lips

Foam sponges can be used as a basis. They keep moisture well and, moreover, are suitable for repeated use.

How to germinate seeds correctly in foam rubber?

1. Cut the foam sponges lengthwise.
2. Place the seeds between the halves.
3. Soak a sponge in warm, settled water.
4. Wrap in a bag and warm.
5. Air the seeds periodically.
6. The sprouts will appear in a few days or weeks.

Long awakening seeds are useful to soak for 12-16 hours in water. The formation of foam will indicate their awakening and readiness to plant.

When roots with a length of 1.5 cm appear, you should start planting the shoots in the ground. However, at this stage, the appendages are very fragile, so it is best to pick them up with tweezers. It is also important not to deepen the seed, but to sprinkle it with fertile, necessarily loose soil on top.

On paper towels

Paper towels are thick, do not sour in water, and therefore are excellent for germinating seed.

1. Take a plastic tray.
2. Place paper towels folded in half on the bottom.
3. Pour some standing water into the tray.
4. Wait 5 minutes for the moisture to absorb.
5. Drain the rest of the liquid.
6. Place the seeds between two towels and place the germination on the windowsill.

It is better if the seed towels remain in the container. But you can replace the tray with a regular plastic bag.

In nature, seeds germinate quickly in the spring, after rains and warm weather. To grow seedlings at home, you should create similar conditions. The main thing is to provide the seed with an abundance of moisture and warmth. Choose any method you like for germinating the seeds - and you will soon see how they begin to awaken, releasing strong juicy sprouts.